There are a lot of risks associated with keeping your options open, and it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens. Let’s see what could happen if you keep playing the game and not taking any risks.
How Do USB Drives Get Damaged by Removing Without Ejecting?
Once the computer has the right drivers installed, it will be able to access the USB drive. The USB drive will then be able to access the files on the computer.
Today’s USB drives are all plug-and-play meaning that they can provide the necessary drivers for the computer. Then the computer must understand what data is on the USB drive so it can allow you to access it. The computer does this by reading the Master Boot Record (MBR) or Partition Boot Record (PBR) or directory structure on the USB.
Your computer starts up and loads the operating system. Then it starts up your USB flash drive.
When you use a flash drive, you think that it’s just reading files. But the truth is, the flash drive actually writes files to the drive every time you change something. This is how it works - your data is always safe and sound on your flash drive.
When reading files, metadata is constantly changing. This can be due to system updates, such as the last accessed or last modified date and time. ..
The changes happen in batches, and the first change to something happens in a computer’s cache. Then it gets written to a USB drive.
If you’re using a USB drive to store important data, it’s important to be aware that other programs on your computer may be accessing the drive without your knowledge. If you have antivirus or anti-malware software installed, it may be scanning your USB drive at any time. ..
If you ever want to use your USB drive while anything is happening on your PC, you need to be careful. If you pull it out while any of these things are happening, you might corrupt your files or the USB drive itself.
After you insert the USB drive into your computer, you will see a message asking if you want to format it. If you choose to format it, Windows will erase all of the data on the drive. ..
Just as the computer and the drive have a goodbye phase like above, they also have a hello phase where they shake hands one last time, finish talking, and then the computer reconnects to the USB.
If the computer or USB device is not properly closed off from the power supply, corruption of data can occur. This is especially important to keep in mind when removing flash drives from computers, as a small amount of electricity can cause damage. ..
What is the Worst that Could Happen?
If your USB drive stops working, you may be able to fix it by using a computer to copy the files off of it and then reformat the drive.
A big deal if something goes wrong. But that’s never when it happens. It happens when something is important or you’re in a hurry to give a presentation with what’s on the USB drive. It never happens at a convenient time.
If you have a USB flash drive that was damaged by electricity, it might be possible to fix it. Unless it was damaged by something else when you pulled it out. That can happen.
Why Doesn’t This Happen All the Time?
Quick Removal is a Windows feature that usually prevents corruption from happening. By default, Windows uses the Quick Removal policy on your USB drives. If you want to change this policy, you can do so by using the Windows Control Panel.
It’s not foolproof though. It’s still possible that you could remove the flash drive while it’s being written to or accessed by another program.
There are a few things that can go wrong in the computer world that can prevent you from saving a file to your USB drive and then pulling the drive out. One is if your computer is slow. Another is if you have a virus. Finally, there’s also a measure of luck."
How Do I Know I’m Using Quick Removal?
The type here to search bar near your start button allows you to search for the device manager in Windows 10.
You’ll see the Device Manager as one of the search results. Click to open that.
In Device Manager, expand Disk Drives and find your USB flash drive. In this example, it is a Kingston Data Traveler 3.0 USB Device. ..
In the properties window, click on the “Format” tab. In the Format section, click on “Text/Text Files.” In the text field, type in “My Documents.” Click on the OK button.
If your USB drive is set to use Quick Removal, click on the Policies tab and select the option. If you want to use Better Performance, select that option and click OK.
How Should I Eject the USB Drive?
To eject a USB drive through the taskbar:
- Open the taskbar and click on the Eject button.
- Type “Eject” into the taskbar search box and press ENTER.
- The USB drive will be ejected and will be in the trash can.
Eject USB Drive from Taskbar
Click on the USB icon in the taskbar. If you don’t see it, right-click on the taskbar and select “USB Options.” ..
To eject a USB device, open the “File” menu and select “Eject.” Find the USB device you want to remove and click on it. ..
The confirmation screen will open to show that the USB flash drive has been safely removed from your computer.
Eject USB Drive in Windows File Explorer
In File Explorer, right-click on the USB flash drive you want to eject and select Eject.
When you plug in your flash drive, a confirmation notification will appear by the clock in your taskbar. You can now safely remove your flash drive. ..
Are You Going to Eject Your USB Drives Now?
There’s something about USB flash drives that just seems to make people want to keep them around. Whether it’s the way they look or the fact that they can store a lot of data, they’re always a potential annoyance. But even though you know how bad things can go when you eject a USB flash drive, you may still keep using them. Why? Because there’s something about USB flash drives that just seems to make people want to keep them around.
Before you yank the USB drive out, you’ll pause and remember this article. The fact that things seem to go wrong at the worst times might make you think twice about ejecting the flash drive. Just to be safe, ..
